Saturday, 21 June 2008 . 11:02

hey guys!
Sorry for the delay, but I've been working on my last assignment as a first year student!
However, this assignment is different to the rest... u see, its about Child Protection, its one of the areas I have at heart, and an area i would definitly love to work in as a graduate. however, it got me thinking sideways. the intro to my assignment is so:
"Childhood is the most crucial time of a person’s life. They are the years during which character and personality is formed and the foundation of future health, growth and development is laid down. A child learns more quickly than an adult especially when they receive love and affection, attention, encouragement and mental stimulation, as well as nutritious meals and good health care. 'Childhood should be like a fairytale however there are several children that instead of living a tale live trapped in a nightmare due to the unfair difficulties present on their lives.'"
Just think about that for a second... and think about yourselves. Think about your childhood, what is it you remember? It is probably giggles, laughs, smiles, spankings and groundings for mischievous adventures accomplished, love, comfort, soft-toys, imaginary friends, innocence, remember looking out of the window while in the car and imagining all sorts of things while watching all the cars and doors passing by so so quickly... now imagine a child who never had the opportunity to have all this... a child living a daily nightmare.

I keep thinking of the kids i personally know in these situations, and how hard it must be for them. I spend lots and lots of time with kids in homes, i love playing with them, tickling them, hearing them laugh... I get on really well with kids, and i feel so happy when i'm around them... i become a child just like them. I enter this whole imaginary place; one day its a jungle, the next we're flying over the rainbows... at times we're even breathing underwater! other times, when we're on good terms, we even pray together! And if you just hear their prayers... no wonder Jesus told us to be like little children! The innocence, the sweet love they have for Jesus, the trust! They love everyone with all their heart, without any discrimination! and their hugs say so many things at once "i love you, im going to miss you, please do come again, thanks for playing with me today and for making me happy. i feel accepted and loved"
Guys, please, lets learn how to be like them, genuine, happy, and full of love for God and for eachother! let's learn to be excited and enthusiastic about anything we do! let's be child-like in the depths of our heart... and let's teach children how to be positive and how to grow up to be happy, loving, child-like people!!!



4 comments

Sunday, 15 June 2008 . 10:32

So... if you check out people's blogs, everyone is going on about last nights' meeting, how they got touched, and how they've woken up this morning with so much energy and enthusiasm! that's so so great guys, keep it up!
However, let us not forget the yesterday's youth who did not feel this, the ones who maybe got more confused about things, the ones who built thicker walls and unbreakable boundaries. There are youths whose hearts are filled with unforgiveness, scars which never seem to heal, and horrid memories that never seem to go away.
This is a call for us to keep these youth in our prayers! You, yes you reading my blog... i challenge you to say this prayer...
"Jesus... I thirst for you! Please help me out in this step I'm taking. Help me open my heart to your love and forgiveness. Help me spread your fragrance everywhere I go. Flood my soul with your spirit and love. Penetrate and possess my whole being, so utterly, that my whole life may be a radiance of your love. Shine through me and be so in me that every soul I come in contact with may feel your presence in my soul. Let them look up and see not me but only Jesus. Stay with me and then I shall begin to shine, so to shine as to be a light to others." 8 comments

Friday, 13 June 2008 . 14:03

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Thursday, 12 June 2008 . 23:46

I challenge us to make this summer a mission, a mission to surrender our own personal situations and focus on helping others instead.. painting a tinge of colour in their black and white lives...

STORY:
"Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.
One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window.
The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.
The men talked for hours on end.
They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.
Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.
The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.
The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.
As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene.
One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man could not hear the band, he could see it in his mind 's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.
Days, weeks and months passed.
One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.
As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.
Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window besides the bed.
It faced a blank wall.
The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.
The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.
She said, 'Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.'

There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations.
'Today is a gift, that is why it is called The Present .'
"Never let somone meet you and leave unchanged!" 2 comments

Tuesday, 10 June 2008 . 11:03

This week-end was a very eventful one, I was invited to a wedding, my sister got proposed to, i was asked countless times by different people what my plans in life are, I spoke to most of you guys (o and a-levelers) asking you what your study plans are.. i.e.. wot ur dreams are. And that's exactly what this post is about.
We all have our dreams, some dreams change, others remain constant throughout our life, some disappear by time, others come true. Dreams are what give us a vision to hang on to and to work for. it is a final destination we aspire to reach. It is what gives us the motivation and energy to do somthing (i.e.. study).
Often we get put down as people criticise our dream and tell us we are not capable of achieving it. Well.. never believe that! It's like a hurdle race. Before you go down on track you've got the warm up, (the planning and setting out your vision), when you're at the start-off line, it's all exciting and your aspirations are high. You're full of energy, and your destination is straight ahead... then the gun shot goes and you start running, but hey! There are hurdles; each time you approach a hurdle you must get together all the energy you have to jump it in one swift move. Then you get conscious about he other runners, and realise some are born to run and it seems to be just a peice of cake to them... then the spectators around you.. you realise how the majority are not supporting you but the other runners.. however you keep going. You know its what you're meant to be doing. And you know you're capable of doing it. And you're going to reach that destination line no matter what! When you finally do... it suddenly hit you. You've made it, you've reached your goal! How? Cause you believed!!!!! But its never a one-man race. There's always the coach behind it all! You were probably just playing a b'ball game once and he spotted the way you run and jump and he visualised your dream before you ever did! Then he called you aside and set out your dream on a silver platter, it was up to you to accept. All through your training, mood swings, injuries.. he's the one who kept spurring you on and who believed in you the most. And that's exactly what God does. He's got our dream in mind. He presents it to us, and its up to us to accept. When we do accept, He supports us fully, He runs with us all the way, encourages us, believes in us, heals our injuries, and gives us the energy to go on no matter what!

These are the lyrics to a song, by Michelle Tumes "Dream"
I believe there is divine imagination
Give it wings for it created aviation
Every little hop you’re holding inside
Every little gleam you keep in your eyes
A dream, yeah, a dream

Before a seed became a flower there was a vision
The dream is planted deep, He’ll shower it with wisdom
Flowing with love that’s making you smile
You’ve waited in your faith you’ve dreamed your whole life
Your soul begin to fly

There’s a dream in your heart
And His heart is your prayer
You can move mountains with your life in His hands
He’ll tear down the walls and He’ll walk where you can’t
Have faith in the power to believe
He’s given you a dream

I pray you dream will leap beyond your expectations
You’ll see miracles He has no limitations
Listen to His voice a spark will ignite
Let Him be the strength to carry your life
He’ll raise your spirit high

You will find the bloom beneath the sunshine
Reach inside and sail to His horizon
Every little hope you’re holding inside
Every little gleam you keep in your eyes
You’ve waited in your faith you’ve dreamed your whole life
Let your soul begin to fly

Faith in the power to believe
He has given you a dream
Faith in the power to believe
Gotta have faith in the power to believe
He has given you a dream
Faith in the power


Have a look at this link, not gona tell you what it is so you see it for yourselves.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_-P4t2jR1g

Have faith in your dreams, and in the dream God has for you!
Gbu... cettina
P.S.. sorry its mega long this time! 2 comments

Friday, 6 June 2008 . 09:12

when things are getting totally out of hand, when you lose control, when people hurt you, when anger builds up inside, when you feel betrayed, when you can't stand the situation any longer, when people are hurting in front of your eyes, when others are unjust to you, when you're persecuted, when you're getting weak after years of strength, when you no longer feel you can keep supporting someone, when others don't believe you, when you're slipping from God's grip, when you feel helpless, when you feel emtpy inside, when you feel you can explode any second, when you're confused, when your mind is blank and your vision is foggy, when you don't know where you're heading, when forgiveness seems way out of reach, when tears keep falling, when hearts keep breaking, when all you hear are harsh words, when no love is felt, when you feel alone, when you look in the mirror and don't recognize yourself, when the cuts on the wrist are numb but the pain inside is vivid, when nothing is won, when all seems lost, when there's no where else to go... don't forget God.

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Wednesday, 4 June 2008 . 09:29

You know that feleing when you love someone, when you know you cannot live without them, that funny smile one your face each time you think of them, and you giggle when you think of something funny you did together... well, that is what this song makes me feel about Jesus.. I called it my love song to Jesus... Its really called "the music of my heart" by Nicole C Mullen. I put the lyrics below for you to follow.. and I challenge you to feel and mean every word, and to make it your prayer today. Gbu XXX



LYRICS
I'm not ashamed to tell the whole world, oh
Without you, I'm nothing at all
That I have strings in need of mending
I'm out of tune in certain parts
So strum the chords of mercy
Restore my soul completely
Lay your hand upon me
And this instrument will breathe

[Chorus]
'Cause you're the music of my heart
The melody within my soul
The song that holds me in the dark
The fire that warms me when I'm cold
The symphony that calms my fear
The lyric that I long to hear
The masterpiece, the work of art
Complete before I start
The music of my heart

Creator of all that is lovely, oh
Write a tune upon my heart
And when you finish will you play me
Like a beautiful guitar?
Strum the chords of mercy
Restore my soul completely
Breathe life into me
And this instrument will sing

[Repeat Chorus]

Of my heart
I'm captivated
Of my heart
My soul's elated
Of my heart
Because
Every single line's full of love divine
Write me like a valentine

[Repeat Chorus]

Yeah, the music of my heart
Of my heart
The music of my heart
Of my heart
The music of my heart 1 comments

Tuesday, 3 June 2008 . 16:57

the woman at the well talking to Jesus...

1 comments

Monday, 2 June 2008 . 11:22

LYRICS
Every time I fall down on my face
I see the one who bore all my shame
To know that you are everything I need you to be
You're my ever present help in time of need

I know you understand it all
So why don't I get back on my feet again
Every pain I feel inside my heart
It takes a faith I know I can't depart

To know that you hear every cry I raise to you
Bringing thoughts of hope the words I bring I know are few

I know you understand it all
So why don't I get back on my feet again
You hear me when I call
You're there when I fall
You hear me when I call

I know you understand it all
So why don't I get back on my feet again 1 comments

Sunday, 1 June 2008 . 11:49

Hey guys!
What do you think of the new look?? :)
hehe.. i hope you like!!!!
got to get back to studies, wasted too much time on this update (i.e.. the whole layout!)
xxx
Cett 5 comments